PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Kupper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buster McCluster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Kupper had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kupper
vs
McCluster

185 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
209 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ben Kupper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Buster McCluster!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kupper uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCluster.
McCluster lands a nice looking body shot.
Kupper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCluster.
Kupper throws a head kick that misses.

McCluster closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kupper to the mat! Kupper manages to get full guard.
Kupper is trying to keep McCluster in close.
McCluster wants to control from the top but Kupper keeps moving.

Kupper looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McCluster sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kupper can't keep his opponent in guard - McCluster advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kupper controlling the position for now.
McCluster should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kupper moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kupper looking to control.
McCluster trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kupper working for a triangle but McCluster defends it easily.
Kupper working a defensive guard here.
McCluster wants to pass the guard but Kupper is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kupper wants to stand up but McCluster is controlling him.
Kupper scores with a short punch from the bottom.
McCluster trying to control but Kupper is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McCluster pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kupper is keeping the position for now.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - McCluster has eaten all the pies!

McCluster avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCluster trying to control but Kupper is working from the bottom.
McCluster trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kupper not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kupper throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kupper keeping moving, preventing McCluster from controlling successfully.
McCluster looking to sit in guard and control but Kupper gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

McCluster working for a triangle but Kupper defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCluster working for a triangle but Kupper defends it easily.

McCluster had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kupper defends it easily.
Kupper controlling from the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kupper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buster McCluster dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kupper bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Kupper closes the distance and clinches.
McCluster is pressed up against the cage. Kupper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCluster down to the mat. McCluster avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Buster McCluster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kupper steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McCluster.
McCluster shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kupper as he jumps to the side.
McCluster shoots in looking for a takedown but Kupper manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McCluster's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kupper looks for a takedown but McCluster sprawls well.
McCluster takes a swing at Kupper's ribcage but misses.

Kupper moves into the clinch.
McCluster is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ben Kupper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster McCluster.

Kupper successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McCluster drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kupper looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kupper looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kupper!
A control attempt from McCluster but he's now mounted!
McCluster squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Kupper will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Kupper working for a submission but McCluster is keeping him at bay.
McCluster tries to lock up and control but Kupper gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kupper landing strikes from the mount.
Kupper with shots to the head and body - McCluster looks very uncomfortable down there.
McCluster is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
McCluster is looking to improve his position but Kupper isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kupper breaks from McCluster's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kupper looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kupper connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Kupper with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
McCluster looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Kupper is trying to stick to McCluster's back but McCluster is turning into Kupper. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kupper's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by McCluster.
McCluster pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kupper is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ben Kupper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kupper looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kupper working a defensive guard here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kupper is really struggling to control McCluster but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Kupper is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but McCluster frees his head nicely. Oh but Kupper has switched to an armbar! McCluster is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Ben Kupper!